Catholic group drops plan to hold Masses commemorating Tiananmen victims

A Hong Kong Catholic group has dropped plans to hold Masses commemorating the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, citing concerns of violating the national security law.

The Diocese of Hong Kong’s Justice and Peace Commission announced on Tuesday that their churches would not be offering Mass for the Dead on the night of June 4.

Seven churches in the territory held masses on June 4 last year in remembrance of those who died in the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989.

The Catholic church in Hong Kong has traditionally played an active role in the city’s commemorations of the Tiananmen crackdown. Such activities are banned in China, where the subject is extremely sensitive.

The Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office said the decision came after church staff and some of the members of the Commission voiced concerns about whether the Masses would violate the city’s national security law.

The Office also noted that the commemoration could be done in different ways, including praying on their own or in smaller groups.